165. Telegram From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of
State
Moscow, September 9, 1960, 9 p.m.

713. In reviewing my cables on Khrushchev conversation/1/ I find
following points not covered.

In disclaiming any intent to use force for spread of Communism
Khrushchev observed that of course once a revolution took place Soviets
would give assistance to govts representing working class.

With respect to Powers trial he mentioned statement made by American
lawyer (presumably Hallinan)/2/ on justice of trial.

In discussing conviction that Soviet would overtake US by 1970
Khrushchev made clear this included consumers goods such as textiles.

Khrushchev disavowed any intention of interfering in our elections. He
knew he had been criticized for attacks he had made on President (not
clear whether he was referring to world press or to remarks I had made
to Kosygin)./3/ He asked however how he could have received President.
He said "If someone comes to visit you and you catch him redhanded
throwing a dead cat over your fence, you could not respect yourself if
you received him as an honored guest."

/2/The Soviet Government invited Vincent Hallinan, Progressive Party
candidate for President in 1956, to observe Powers' trial in Moscow.
TASS, the Soviet press agency, quoted Hallinan as having said the
Powers' trial was absolutely fair. (The New York Times, August 19, 1960)

/3/Reference presumably is to a conversation Ambassador Thompson had
with Khru-shchev and Aleksei Nikolaevich Kosygin, First Deputy Prime
Minister, on the U - 2 incident on June 30, in which Khrushchev
criticized the President's handling of the incident. When Khrushchev
left the meeting, Thompson told Kosygin that further criticisms "of this
nature would have effect in US far beyond anything which I believed they
intended. Kosygin made no significant reply but appeared embarrassed."
(Telegram 3282 from Moscow, June 30; Department of State, Central Files,
761.5411/6 - 3060)